Ventura County News Roundup

MOORPARK : Attorney Suspended From Law Practice

A Moorpark attorney has been suspended from practicing law for at least two years because he failed to participate in an alcohol abuse program, which was a condition of a drunk driving conviction, state law officials said Friday.

Robert Lewis Raupp, 52, was also suspended because he did not keep in contact with the State Bar of California's probation department, said bar spokeswoman Susan Scott.

Raupp could not be reached for comment Friday.

Raupp was suspended from practicing law for 90 days in 1989 and was placed on two years probation as a result of a 1987 drunk driving conviction in Los Angeles Municipal Court, Scott said.

As a condition of his probation, he was ordered by the state Supreme Court to participate in an alcohol abuse program and to remain in contact with the State Bar's probation department.

However, bar officials referred the case back to the state Supreme Court in March after learning that Raupp had not met the conditions of his probation.

Raupp was not allowed to practice law until the court decided what action to take in the case, Scott said.

The court ruled earlier this month to suspend Raupp for two years--effective Oct. 19--or until he has proven that he is fit to practice law, she said.

This is not the first time that Raupp, who has been an attorney since 1980, has been in trouble with the law. Raupp had three drunk driving convictions during 1983 and 1984, Scott said.